Andy Frasco & The U.N. Cover ‘Porch Song’ In Chicago After Widespread Panic Postponement

Andy Frasco & The U.N. took the stage at the Metro Chicago on Saturday, the same night Widespread Panic was due to end a three-night stand at The Chicago Theatre that was postponed due to “unexpected health issues”. Frasco and his band honored the veteran jam act by kicking off their sold-out show with a debut cover of Widespread Panic’s “Porch Song.”

Guitarist Shawn Eckels handled lead vocals and ripped an effusive solo on the premiere. Andy Frasco & The U.N. stayed faithful to the original version of “Porch Song,” which Widespread Panic has performed over 1,100 times since 1986. Panic rescheduled their Chicago run for February 28, 29 and March 1.

Frontman Andy Frasco shouted out Panic several times over the course of the evening and told the crowd “We had to open the show with some fuckin’ ‘Porch Song,'” during “What More Can I Say.” Later in the night, Frasco dedicated “Smokin’ Dope And Rock N’ Roll” to Dave Schools. The Widespread Panic bassist produced two Andy Frasco studio albums.

It wouldn’t be a proper Andy Frasco & The U.N. show without any special guests and they didn’t disappoint. The members of funk-rock Chicago-based band Hot Like Mars joined in on a “Talk About It” that included a brief excursion through Alice In Chains’ “Man In A Box” dedicated to Umphrey’s McGee. Frasco and company paired new song “Who We Used To Be” and staple “Dancin’ Around My Grave” as the encore.

Watch footage of “Porch Song” and stream an audience recording of the whole show taped by Z-Man below:

[Hat Tip – Live For Live Music]